Background::Given that seizures may be triggered by vaccination, this study aimed to evaluate the risk and correlative factors of seizures in patients with epilepsy (PWE) after being vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods::This study retrospectively enrolled PWE who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the epilepsy centers of 11 hospitals in China. We divided the PWE into two groups as follows: (1) patients who developed seizures within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SAV (with seizures after vaccination) group; (2) patients who were seizure-free within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SFAV (seizure-free after vaccination) group. To identify potential risk factors for seizure reccurence, the binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Besides, 67 PWE who had not been vaccinated were also included for elucidating the effects of vaccination on seizures recurrence, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether vaccination would affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had drug reduction or withdrawal.Results::The study included a total of 407 patients; of which, 48 (11.8%) developed seizures within 14 days after vaccination (SAV group), whereas 359 (88.2%) remained seizure-free (SFAV group). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of seizure freedom ( P < 0.001) and withdrawal from anti-seizure medications (ASMs) or reduction in their dosage during the peri-vaccination period were significantly associated with the recurrence of seizures (odds ratio= 7.384, 95% confidence interval = 1.732–31.488, P = 0.007). In addition, 32 of 33 patients (97.0%) who were seizure-free for more than three months before vaccination and had a normal electroencephalogram before vaccination did not have any seizures within 14 days of vaccination. A total of 92 (22.6%) patients experienced non-epileptic adverse reactions after vaccination. Binary logistic regression analysis results showed that vaccine did not significantly affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had the behavior of ASMs dose reduction or withdrawal ( P = 0.143). Conclusions::PWE need protection from the COVID-19 vaccine. PWE who are seizure-free for >3 months before vaccination should be vaccinated. Whether the remaining PWE should be vaccinated depends on the local prevalence of COVID-19. Finally, PWE should avoid discontinuing ASMs or reducing their dosage during the peri-vaccination period.

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) at lower-sea points of stomach, large intestine, small intestine and gallbladder on interleukin-1β (IL-1β), high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB 1) and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR α7) in rats with acute gastric mucosal lesion (AGML), so as to explore whether there is relative specificity in treating gastric viscera disease by stimulating Zusanli (ST 36).

METHODSSixty healthy SD rats were randomly assigned into a blank group, a model group, a Zusanli group, a Shangjuxu group, a Xiajuxu group and a Yanglingquan group, ten rats in each one (half male and half female). The WRS method was applied to induce the AGML model except the rats in the blank group. The rats in the blank group were treated with routine diet; the rats in the model group were treated with immobilization at rat platform, 30 min per time; the rats in the Zusanli group, Shangjuxu group, Xiajuxu group and Yanglingquan group were treated with acupuncture and connected with EA device (dilatational wave 10 Hz/50 Hz, positive electrode on the left side and negative electrode on the right side, intensity was appropriate when rat hind leg slightly shook), 30 min per time. The treatment was given once a day. After consecutive 10-day treatment, the gastric tissue was collected and the damage of gastric mucosa was evaluated; ELISA method was applied to measure the content of serum IL-1β and tissue HMGB 1; the Western blot method was applied to measure the expression of nAchR α7 receptor.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the model group, the ulcer index (UI) of gastric mucosa, serum IL-1β and tissue HMGB 1 were lower, and the expression of nAchR α7 was increased in the remaining groups (<0.05,<0.01). (2) Compared with the Zusanli group, the UI of gastric tissue, serum IL-1β and tissue HMGB 1 were higher in the Shangjuxu group, Xiajuxu group and Yanglingquan group (<0.05,<0.01), and the expression of nAchRα7 was reduced in the Yanglingquan group (<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS(1) EA at digestive system-related lower-sea points, through IL-1β, HMGB 1 and nAchR α7, could regulate immune response, lighten inflammatory reaction and reduce mucosal injury, which could realize the intervention effect on AGML rats. (2) From the comparison, it is concluded the intervention effect of Zusanli group is superior to the other groups, partly indicating the relative specificity between Zusanli and stomach.

Objective To investigate the residential radon concentration in typical areas of Hubei Province and assess the dose hazards of radon to human body. Methods According to geographical location, five cities including Wuhan, Enshi, Shiyan, Xianning and Daye were selected, and the stratified cluster sampling and monitoring were conducted in accordance with the residential building structure. From April to July, 2019, RSKS standard detectors were placed in the bedroom or living room of the tested families. After continuously sampling for three months, those detectors were returned back to the laboratory for test readings using Radosys system. Results A total of 651 detectors were deployed in 577 households of 70 communities, and 634 detectors were recovered. The recovery rate of detectors was 97.4%. The indoor residential radon concentration in Hubei Province showed a logarithmic normal distribution, with a median (25% quantile and 75% quantile) of 40.52 (29.13,64.74) Bq/m3 and an annual effective dose of 2.02 mSv. The indoor radon concentrations in Wuhan and Enshi were significantly higher than those in Shiyan, Xianning and Daye (P<0.05). The indoor radon concentrations in brick wood or civil structures were significantly higher than those in reinforced concrete structures (P<0.05), and indoor radon concentration in the first floor was significantly higher than those in other floors (P<0.05). The indoor radon concentrations after 2010 were significantly lower than those between 2001 and 2010 (P<0.05). Conclusion The number of households with indoor radon concentrations exceeding the national limit in newly-built buildings accounted for 10.1%; The indoor residential radon concentration levels of in Hubei Province were influenced by building structure, age and floor.